WAIMEA RIVER PARK

About the Area

The Waimea River Park covers the land alongside the Waimea River and the lower reaches of its major tributaries- the Waimea River (downstream from Bryant Rd in Brightwater) and the Wai-iti River (downstream from Waimea West Rd.) It includes private land between Livingstone Rd and Waimea West Rd. which the owners have kindly agreed to incorporate into the park plans.The park was the brainchild of the late Martin Conway. Roughly speaking, it includes all the land outside the stop-banks from the southern cycleway bridge ( near the junction of Wairoa and Waimea river) to the northern cycleway bridge (over Waimea River close to Lower Queen St).

These riparian areas (commonly described as berm lands) are held in two freehold titles by the Tasman District Council. whose primary obligation is to manage the land for river control and soil conservation purposes. Traditionally they have managed to protect the surrounding lands from flooding, to maintain the Waimea Plains aquifer and to provide for commercial uses such as gravel extraction, gravel processing and grazing.

Aim of the Project:

The project aims to transform a river berm (which many think of as gorse, broom and weeds) into a fully restored and planted recreational area. Since the cycleway has come into being, the focus has shifted from general planting, to planting of the areas which the cycleway runs through. Outside the stop-banks, the river still rules so it is necessary to work closely with council engineers about appropriate planting in a flood prone area.

Progress Report:

Currently the cycleway has become the focus for planting e.g the area near the Appleby domain. As funding allows, the Waimea River Park will be developed further and provide a wonderful recreational resource for the local community